How to Make Money with Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel in 2025

Key Takeaways

• The Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel offers a simple way to earn passive income by sharing your internet usage habits.
• By installing the Nielsen app on your devices, you contribute to market research and earn rewards.
• While not a get-rich-quick scheme, it provides a legitimate way to make a little extra money with minimal effort.
• Earnings vary, but you can expect to make around $50 per year per device.
• Participation requires meeting specific eligibility criteria and installing the Nielsen app on your devices.

Are you looking for an easy way to make some extra cash in 2025 without drastically changing your daily routine? The Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel could be just what you’re looking for. In this article, we’ll dive into how you can make money simply by doing what you already do online.

What is the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel?

The Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel is run by Nielsen, a well-known global measurement and data analytics company. You’ve probably heard of Nielsen ratings when it comes to TV viewership. This panel works on a similar principle, but for internet usage.

Essentially, Nielsen wants to understand how people use the internet. By joining the panel and installing their app on your devices (computers, smartphones, and tablets), you allow Nielsen to anonymously collect data about your internet Browse habits. This data helps companies understand trends and consumer behavior online. Think of it as contributing to important market research just by going about your normal online life.

How Can You Make Money with Nielsen?

Making money with Nielsen is really about effortless earning. Think of it less like doing tasks and more like getting rewarded for something you already do every day: using the internet! Once you’re set up, there aren’t really any specific “tasks” you need to complete. It’s all about passive participation.

Let’s break down what happens after you install the Nielsen app:

1. Sign Up and Install: Just like I mentioned before, you start by signing up and installing the Nielsen app on your computer, phone, or tablet. This is the initial setup step.
2. Run in the Background: Once installed, the Nielsen app works quietly in the background. You’ll likely see a small icon indicating it’s running, but you generally don’t need to actively interact with the app itself. You don’t have to open it daily or click on anything special.
3. Anonymous Data Collection (The “Task”): Here’s the key – the “task” is simply allowing the app to anonymously collect data about your internet usage. This happens automatically while you are using your devices. What kind of data? Things like:
   • Websites you visit: Nielsen sees the domains of the websites you browse (like example.com, news-site.org, shopping-online.net), but not the specific pages you look at or anything personal you type.
   • Apps you use: They track the apps you open and use on your phone or tablet.
   • Time spent online: They measure how long you are connected to the internet and using your devices.
   • General Browse patterns: They look at overall trends in how people use the internet.

Importantly, Nielsen emphasizes that this data is anonymized and aggregated. This means they are looking at trends across many users, not at your individual Browse history in a way that’s linked to your personal identity. They are not tracking things like your passwords, personal emails, or credit card information.

1. Continue Your Normal Online Life: After the app is running, you just keep doing what you normally do online! Browse your favorite websites, check social media, shop online, watch videos, use apps – everything as usual. You don’t need to change your habits at all.
2. Earn Rewards Passively: For simply having the app installed and allowing this anonymous data collection to happen in the background while you use your devices, Nielsen rewards you. The rewards accumulate automatically over time.

Think of it this way: You’re not doing specific tasks for Nielsen. You’re just allowing them to observe general internet usage trends by having their app on your devices while you use the internet for your own purposes. The “task” is really just participating in normal internet usage with the app installed.

Earning Potential, Fees, and Payment Systems

Let’s get to the important part: how much can you actually earn? It’s important to set realistic expectations. The Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel isn’t going to make you rich, but it can provide a little extra income for minimal effort.

Earning Potential

Earnings vary depending on factors like the number of devices you register, how consistently they are used, and any specific promotions Nielsen might be running. Generally, you can expect to earn around $50 per year per device. Some sources suggest potential earnings up to $50 annually for each enrolled device. Keep in mind this is an estimate, and actual earnings can fluctuate.

Fees

The great news is that there are no fees to join the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel. It’s completely free to participate.

Payment Systems

Nielsen typically pays out rewards in the form of points that you can redeem. Common redemption options include:

• • Gift Cards: You can often choose from a variety of gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more.
  • Cash: Some programs offer cash payments, often through PayPal or direct deposit.
  • Merchandise: Occasionally, they may offer merchandise or sweepstakes entries as rewards.

Realistic Income Expectations

It’s crucial to understand that the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel provides supplemental income, not a primary income source. Don’t expect to quit your job based on Nielsen earnings!

A realistic income expectation would be in the range of $50 to $100 per year if you register a couple of devices. This money can be a nice little bonus to help with small expenses, entertainment, or savings. Think of it as getting paid a small amount for contributing to valuable market research in the background of your everyday online activities.

Requirements to Join

To become a Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel member, you’ll typically need to meet certain requirements:

• Residency: You usually need to be a resident of a specific country where the panel is active, such as the United States.
• Age: You must be of legal age to participate, typically 18 years or older.
• Device Ownership: You need to own and actively use devices like computers, smartphones, or tablets.
• Internet Access: You’ll need a stable internet connection for your devices to transmit data.
• Honest Participation: Nielsen expects honest and genuine participation. Trying to manipulate your Browse activity to earn more rewards is likely to be against their terms and could lead to disqualification.

Getting Started with Nielsen

If you’re interested in joining the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel, here are the general steps to get started:

1. Visit the Nielsen Website: Search online for the “Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel” for your region (e.g., “Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel United States”). Look for the official Nielsen website.
2. Check Eligibility and Sign Up: On their website, you’ll find information about eligibility and a sign-up form. Fill out the form accurately.
3. Wait for Acceptance: Nielsen may have limited spots on the panel, so you might need to wait to be accepted.
4. Download and Install the App: Once accepted, you’ll receive instructions on how to download and install the Nielsen app on your devices.
5. Register Devices: Follow the instructions to register your devices with your Nielsen account.
6. Start Earning: Once everything is set up, simply use your devices as usual and start earning rewards passively!

Is the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel Worth It?

Whether the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel is “worth it” depends on your perspective and expectations.

Pros

• Passive Income: It’s a truly passive way to earn. Once set up, you don’t need to do anything extra.
• Easy to Participate: The process is straightforward, and the app runs in the background without disrupting your device usage.
• Legitimate Company: Nielsen is a reputable market research company.
• No Fees: It’s free to join and participate.
• Contribute to Research: You’re contributing to valuable market research that helps shape online products and services.

Cons

• Low Earning Potential: Earnings are relatively low and won’t replace a regular income.
• Data Collection: You are sharing your Browse data, which might raise privacy concerns for some (though Nielsen emphasizes anonymity and data security).
• Eligibility Requirements: Not everyone will be eligible to join.

If you’re comfortable sharing anonymous Browse data and want a simple, passive way to earn a little extra money, the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel can be a good option. It’s not a significant income source, but it’s a legitimate way to get rewarded for your everyday internet usage. Just remember to have realistic expectations about the earning potential.

FAQ

Is the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel legitimate?

Yes, the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel is run by Nielsen, a well-established and reputable global market research company that has been in business for many years.

How much can I realistically earn per month?

Realistic earnings are typically in the range of $4 to $8 per month per device, which translates to roughly $50 to $100 per year if you have a couple of devices registered.

What kind of data does Nielsen collect?

Nielsen collects anonymous data about your internet Browse habits, such as websites visited, apps used, time spent online, and general online behavior. They emphasize that they do not collect personal information like usernames, passwords, or sensitive financial data.

Will the Nielsen app slow down my devices?

The Nielsen app is designed to run in the background with minimal impact on your device’s performance. However, some users might experience a slight slowdown, especially on older or less powerful devices.

How do I get paid?

Nielsen typically rewards you with points that can be redeemed for gift cards, cash (via PayPal or direct deposit), or merchandise, depending on the program and your region.

What are the privacy implications?

By joining the panel, you are sharing your anonymous Browse data with Nielsen. While Nielsen states they prioritize data security and anonymity, it’s essential to review their privacy policy and terms of service to understand their data collection practices and ensure you are comfortable with them.

How do I cancel my participation?

You can usually cancel your participation at any time by uninstalling the Nielsen app from your devices and contacting Nielsen panel support to close your account.

Is it available worldwide?

The Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel is typically available in specific countries, such as the United States, but availability can vary. Check the Nielsen website for your region to confirm if it’s available in your country.

Can I install it on all my devices?

Yes, you can usually install the Nielsen app on multiple devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, as long as they meet the system requirements. Enrolling more devices may potentially increase your earning potential.